Project for V6
Project for V6
So I wanna go ahead and start makin my v6 MEAN! I wanna cam it out, with new headers, lifters and a roller timing chain.
But I'm having a difficult time finding a cam that will go on my car. Does anyone know a good cam to buy for my 3800 series II?
But I'm having a difficult time finding a cam that will go on my car. Does anyone know a good cam to buy for my 3800 series II?
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You really want to be careful picking your CAM. Guys that say I want the biggest Cam are rarely happy with their motors when they are done. I will try to explain.
The factory CAM has a nice balance of idle and power, GM spend 100's of man an hour getting the design to everyone’s likings so when you get an aftermarket CAM you will be giving up something. A mild CAM you may only give up smooth idle but larger CAMs push the RPM range where you make HP higher and that will have a negative effect lower RPMs. Let say you install a large CAM and you are driving in normal traffic. You are running 2000 RPM and you want to pass someone. You CAMed motor will have less HP then you stock one had in that situation.
You can build a motor with a large CAM and in the end have less HP! Let say the power band on your stock CAM is 2000-5200 RPM (200 hp MAX) and you put in a huge cam that pushes the power band to 4000-7200 RPMs (325 HP MAX) but you do not build a motor that can handle 7200 RPMs or you have shock heads that will only flow well to 5500 RPMs then you Max HP could be under 200. This would also mean you need a good way to bridge the Gap in RPMs You need a way to get to the 4000 RPMs because the motor will take a long time to get there. Normal this is done with a stall converter or a hvy clutch
Don’t buy a CAM, build a motor. The CAM should not be the driving member of the build it should be the result of what is best from the engine you want. You need to do a lot of research make a lot of decisions. What will the car be used for? How street friendly does it need to be? Then figure out the RPM range and HP range you would like then look at every component of the motor and research what they can handle. Your budget will be your limit. No reason to build a 350 HP, 7000 RPM motor if you do not build the Trans, rear and tires to support it.
Most people are happy with a mild CAM, light port and polished heads that will get you near V8 HP with bolt-ons. Much more then that you’re your into building the whole car. The 3800 is a great motor and the bottom ends are strong but it was designed as a V6 car. Once you go over 280 HP you will have look at your Cooling system your fuel pump and lines, just about everything. 280 HP is not a huge CAM.
No matter what you do think about getting a low miles motor and build that. These are one of the most common motors in yards because they were in so many cars and they are dependable and normally out last the bodies. I have read storied of guys getting motors with less the 30K on them for $400.
Street build
https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...-thread-51944/
Drag build
https://camaroforums.com/forum/4th-g...sleeper-40642/
I run the OBX Stainless headers on mine, I love them, Had them over 2 years and 40,000 miles and I have not had to touch them. I did have to replace some of the bolts that came with the headers because they where not long enough. But do some research there are other people that had issues.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBX-Exhaust-...item23172a0747
The factory CAM has a nice balance of idle and power, GM spend 100's of man an hour getting the design to everyone’s likings so when you get an aftermarket CAM you will be giving up something. A mild CAM you may only give up smooth idle but larger CAMs push the RPM range where you make HP higher and that will have a negative effect lower RPMs. Let say you install a large CAM and you are driving in normal traffic. You are running 2000 RPM and you want to pass someone. You CAMed motor will have less HP then you stock one had in that situation.
You can build a motor with a large CAM and in the end have less HP! Let say the power band on your stock CAM is 2000-5200 RPM (200 hp MAX) and you put in a huge cam that pushes the power band to 4000-7200 RPMs (325 HP MAX) but you do not build a motor that can handle 7200 RPMs or you have shock heads that will only flow well to 5500 RPMs then you Max HP could be under 200. This would also mean you need a good way to bridge the Gap in RPMs You need a way to get to the 4000 RPMs because the motor will take a long time to get there. Normal this is done with a stall converter or a hvy clutch
Don’t buy a CAM, build a motor. The CAM should not be the driving member of the build it should be the result of what is best from the engine you want. You need to do a lot of research make a lot of decisions. What will the car be used for? How street friendly does it need to be? Then figure out the RPM range and HP range you would like then look at every component of the motor and research what they can handle. Your budget will be your limit. No reason to build a 350 HP, 7000 RPM motor if you do not build the Trans, rear and tires to support it.
Most people are happy with a mild CAM, light port and polished heads that will get you near V8 HP with bolt-ons. Much more then that you’re your into building the whole car. The 3800 is a great motor and the bottom ends are strong but it was designed as a V6 car. Once you go over 280 HP you will have look at your Cooling system your fuel pump and lines, just about everything. 280 HP is not a huge CAM.
No matter what you do think about getting a low miles motor and build that. These are one of the most common motors in yards because they were in so many cars and they are dependable and normally out last the bodies. I have read storied of guys getting motors with less the 30K on them for $400.
Street build
https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...-thread-51944/
Drag build
https://camaroforums.com/forum/4th-g...sleeper-40642/
I run the OBX Stainless headers on mine, I love them, Had them over 2 years and 40,000 miles and I have not had to touch them. I did have to replace some of the bolts that came with the headers because they where not long enough. But do some research there are other people that had issues.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBX-Exhaust-...item23172a0747
Last edited by Gorn; Dec 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM.
Hooker Headers at SummitRacing.com: exhaust headers and mufflers for any vehicle
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 196
I have an inexpensive suggestion and will add some house power to you car. Remove the Air Reserve Box, the plastic box between the air intake and they throttle body. This is just an air baffle and should be removed if you are going to do a cold air intake such as a air ram hood, etc.
If you have a 4" out on the air box and a 4" in on the throttle body, it's very easy to do with "car parts" from Home Depot.
If you have a 4" out on the air box and a 4" in on the throttle body, it's very easy to do with "car parts" from Home Depot.
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